Key points:

• Hypochlorous acid (HOCI) is a natural molecule produced by your body’s immune system.
  
  
• HOCI face mists are extremely versatile and safe for all skin types and skin conditions.
  
  
• Spray on to control bacteria, detox congested pores, calm inflammation, tone skin, prep skin, set makeup, refresh skin, and more.

As a Master Esthetician of 25 years, I’m excited to see skincare mists finally getting the attention they deserve. I sell a range of mists that perform different roles in your skincare routine. This includes the addition of two hypochlorous acid face sprays. One is from my signature skincare line, and the other is from one of my preferred Korean skincare brands. Here’s how to incorporate this antimicrobial product into your skincare routine. 

NOT YOUR AVERAGE FACE MIST

Hypochlorous acid is a naturally occurring substance produced by your immune system to minimize bacteria. It’s an ultra-gentle and versatile addition to your skincare routine. A few sprays a day control bacteria, reduce inflammation, and support healing. Be mindful of the added ingredients in the spray you choose. Many skincare brands add fragrance or artificial ingredients that destabilize HOCI and may irritate your skin. Your product must also be in an opaque bottle and stored at room temperature. This is because light and heat deactivate the ingredients.

Be mindful of the ingredients in the HOCI sprays you purchase. Some brands infuse their products with harsh ingredients or ingredients that cancel out the hypochlorous acid.

MY PREFERRED HOCI MISTS

• CBE Botanicals Mist + Detox is a lightweight, non-drying mist that helps refresh stressed and acne-prone skin. It’s formulated with HOCI, Water, and Sodium Chloride to minimize the appearance of redness and visible irritation when your skin is hot or inflamed. Spray it on 3 to 4 ultra-fine and even mists on your face or body to calm and clear. Or spray it on any time to detox skin or reduce heat, bacteria, and skin. It’s one of my post-treatment go-tos for soothing heat and redness.
  
  
• KrX Hypochlorous Acid Spray combines HOCI with Allantoin and Botanical Extracts to support the antibacterial, calming, and protective properties. It’s proven to eliminate up to 99.9% of surface bacteria in just 3 or 4 ultra-fine and even sprays. Unlike many brands, the Botanicals don’t cancel out the HOCI.

YES, HOCI HAS A DISTINCT AROMA

It’s not just you, HOCI has a naturally pungent aroma that many compare to chlorine. This is why many brands add synthetic fragrance. Our sense of smell is a natural defense that alerts us to odors that may cause us harm. Not to worry as there is no chlorine or bleach in this spray. Per my standard philosophy, I prioritize premium, safe, and effective ingredients. Although HOCI has a chlorine-like odor, this is its natural state. The smell dissipates in 1 to 2 minutes.

THE BENEFITS OF HOCI SPRAY

• Calms the appearance of redness
  
  
• Supports barrier function
  
  
• Refreshes and purifies the skin
  
  
• Reduces post-treatment irritation
  
  
• Supports overall skin recovery
  
  
• Minimizes bacteria on the skin
  
  
• Neutralizes environmental stressors
  
  
• Supports flawless makeup application 

9 WAYS TO USE HYPOCHLOROUS ACID SKIN MIST

When I say HOCI is versatile, I mean it! You can spray it on 2 or 3 times a day for any combination of the use cases below.

1. PRE-TREATMENT

I mist hypochlorous acid face spray onto clean skin to refresh and prep skin prior to beginning my tailored facials. It calms pre-existing irritation and kills bacteria, supporting a clean and comfortable treatment. You can mist it on before your weekly at-home facials directly after cleansing.

2. POST-TREATMENT

Even if I sprayed HOCI on pre-treatment, I may spray it on post-treatment too. Especially after conducting anti-aging treatments that warm, redden, sensitize, or irritate skin. Do the same after using your home care devices. And bring your mist with you and spray it on after sensitizing treatments, or treatments that can cause breakouts, such as waxing.

Spray it on after:

• Chemical peels
  
  
• Dermaplaning
  
  
• Extractions
  
  
• Microneedling
  
  
• Nano channeling
  
  
• Waxing

3. DAILY TONER FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN

Minimizing bacteria minimizes acne and breakouts, so consider using hypochlorous acid as your toner alternative. When using it as toner, spray on after you cleanse. Be mindful that bacteria is only one part of the equation for acne-prone skin. You still need to exfoliate and apply gentle, nourishing products that don’t congest your pores.

4. DAILY PRIMER

In addition to toning your skin, a light mist of hypochlorous acid preps your skin for your serum and moisturizer. Killing bacteria provides a clean canvas, making it easier for serums to penetrate your skin. Applying serum to slightly damp skin helps pull moisture and nourishing antioxidants deeper into your skin. It also primes your skin to help your makeup lay smooth and flat.

PRO TIP: ALLOW HOCI TO DRY BEFORE LAYERING VITAMIN C SERUM

Most serums should be applied to slightly damp skin, but if you’re applying Vitamin C serum to your skin directly after HOCI, wait 1 to 2 minutes for your skin to dry. Otherwise, the active ingredients will cancel one another out.

5. FINISHING SPRAY

Like standard finishing sprays, HOCI binds powder, blush, and bronzer. This melts them into your skin for a luminous glow, and a cake-free, flawless finish. Unlike standard setting sprays, it helps control bacteria. Dirty applicator sponges and brushes introduce bacteria that sit on your skin all day long. Add to that bacteria caused by sweat and external toxins. Makeup traps bacteria, increasing your risk for acne, breakouts, and irritation. Use as a finishing spray to keep bacteria at bay.

6. SOOTHING REACTIVE AND IRRITATED SKIN

If you have acne, dry flakes, dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea, or eczema, HOCI hydrates and calms. Irritated areas create patches of cakey and flaky makeup. This mist melts your powder-based makeup down, so that it lies flat and smooth. You can also spray it on to soothe perimenopause flushing or after a day in the heat, humidity, or sun.

7. AFTER THE GYM, ATHLETICS, AND SWEAT-INDUCING ACTIVITIES

When time is tight, and you don’t have time to shower directly after the gym or fitness studio, mist your face with HOCI. When you don’t shower right away, bacteria increase. You still need to shower, but you can wait until you get home without accelerated bacterial growth.

You can also spray it on other sweat-prone areas to minimize dermatitis. For example, where your headset, helmet, sweatband, or athletic gear sits on your skin.

8. BEFORE TOUCHING UP MAKEUP AND SPF

There are SO many reasons to mist with HOCI before reapplying makeup or SPF protection mid-day. The sweat, dirt, oil, and grime of the day introduce pollutants and bacteria to your skin. Without addressing new bacteria, you’ll just spread it around and trap it beneath your next layer of makeup or sun protection. For best results, use blotting paper to soak up oil first. Blot or press, don’t swipe, or you’ll only spread oil and disrupt your makeup.

As an added bonus, misting before reapplying makeup helps the next layer lay flat without separating. Any kind of mist, even water, softens and reactivates makeup. This is especially important if you have dry or irritated areas. Makeup clings to dry and irritated areas. Layering more on without misting leads to cakes and flakes.

9. REFRESH YOUR SKIN ANY TIME, ANYWHERE

Whether you’re traveling, transitioning from work to play, or want to revitalize your skin any time of day—a quick mist calms and refreshes your skin. Especially when in heat, humidity, or dry air. Just ensure your spray is stored at room temperature. If needed, store it in your food cooler when out and about.

A few quick sprays:

• Rehydrates the skin
• Reduces surface temperature
• Reduces oil production
• Restores your radiant glow
• Calms irritation
• Kills bacteria

REVITALIZING YOUR SKIN BEYOND HYPOCHLOROUS ACID FACE SPRAY

If you want to learn more about tailoring your skincare routine as your skin matures, or which home care devices are right for you, consider joining the  CBE Rewards Club. As a member, you’ll receive $10 in cash rewards each month, 10% off CBE Botanicals products, and exclusive BOGO events, flash sales, contests, and prizes. Membership includes access to the Rewards Club Lounge, where you can ask me your most pressing skincare questions!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mist HOCI spray on more than once a day?

Yes, you can safely spray HOCI face spray on 2 to 3 times a day.

Can I use hypochlorous acid face mist to set my makeup?

Yes, HOCI is extremely versatile, and using it as a setting spray is a top option. It melts powdered makeup into your skin for a smooth and even finish. Additional benefits include bacteria control, calming, and soothing.

What does hypochlorous acid do for your skin?

Hypochlorous acid is a naturally occurring molecule that kills bacteria, soothes irritation, reduces redness, and refreshes skin. It’s a popular toner, primer, setting spray, and midday facial spray.